Hit 500 followers on Instagram and got called a sellout by my own cousin

I've been posting my art on Instagram for about 2 years now, just random sketches and paintings. Last week I hit 500 followers and was honestly excited about it. My cousin messaged me saying I'm just chasing likes now and selling out to the algorithm. I never thought a number like that would make someone think differently of me. Has anyone else had people in their life judge them for gaining a little attention online?

3 comments

3 Comments

betty_palmer16d ago

My uncle did the same thing when I got a promotion at work, like any bit of success means you've sold your soul or something. It's weird how people can't just be happy for you.

ben66216d ago

I get where you're coming from but maybe he's just worried you're losing sight of what actually matters.

murphy.barbara15d ago

I saw a study once that said people often react negatively when someone close to them levels up because it makes them question their own choices. @ben662 maybe he's not trying to put you down, just projecting his own fears about what success looks like from the outside. It's a bummer when you have to deal with that instead of just celebrating your win.